James Williams-Ness
May 20, 2022
James Williams-Ness, 52, a gentleman and resident of Litchfield, Connecticut, passed away with family members by his side at Maine Medical Center on May 20, 2022, after a sailing accident off the coast of Maine doing what he loved best with his dearest friend in the world. He is predeceased by his mother Christine V. Ness, “Cricket,” aunt Patty Vanderwarker, and survived by his wife Shane Williams-Ness, daughter Adeline (Addie), father Alexander “Sandy” H. Williams III and his wife, Monica Williams of Chicago, IL, stepmother, Caroline Williams of Princeton, NJ, beloved stepfather Peter S. Ness of Greenwich, CT, brother Alexander H. Williams IV, his wife Judy of Portland, OR, and sister Ashley Williams Madden and husband, John C. Madden, JR of Denver, CO, uncle Richard Dean Vanderwarker, “Skip,” of Spring Island, SC and cherished nieces and nephew who made him immensely proud as well as close Vanderwarker cousins.
James was born on March 9, 1970, in Evanston, Illinois. In 1978, after several moves between Darien, CT and Fort Green, Brooklyn, the family settled in Greenwich, Connecticut where Jamie attended Brunswick School before going on to Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1989. He then went to Union College, finishing in 1993 with a degree in History and German Literature.
Jamie’s deep imagination, curiosity and graciousness showed brightly in his early childhood. By the time he was a young adult, Jamie had become a gourmet chef, reading cookbooks like novels. He was a host to many, known for his hospitality, kind demeanor and stylish flare. He was devoted to his Ness grandparents, Phil and Nancy Ness of Greenwich, CT, legally adding their
name to his at the age of 18 to honor them and his stepfather, Peter Ness. He was a volunteer fireman in Deerfield, Ma and Greenwich, CT as a young man.
After graduation, Jamie embarked on his career, focusing on media research. Jamie and Shane married in 1999. They lived in Boston, Singapore, Saratoga Springs, NY and Manhattan, where Jamie later assumed the role of Vice President at Nielsen Media. Jamie was a member of The West Chop Club on Martha’s Vineyard and Litchfield Country Club in Litchfield, CT.
In 2020, Jamie, Shane and Addie settled in Litchfield, Connecticut, where Jamie loved to cook and spend time watching his daughter race with the Litchfield Rowing Club, active as a parent eager to jump in and help move a boat. He was an avid runner and had qualified for both the New York City and Berlin marathons; Jamie was a courteous tennis player, squash player and golf lover.
A service at their family’s church, The Church of Heavenly Rest in New York is planned for June 24 at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please be kind to one another as was Jamie’s moto, one never knows what one is going through, so do be kind. And if so moved, consider a donation in Jamie’s name to Litchfield Hills Rowing Club www.litchfieldhillsrowing. org. Online condolences may be expressed at www. hobbsfuneralhome.com